Would Life Be Better With Year-Round Daylight Savings Time?

It's time to set the clocks forward this weekend and jump into spring! If you aren't excited about this, well I am right there with you. Most of us don't want to lose an hour of sleep even though it means more daylight (what can I say, we are allergic to the sun). However, what if we never had to deal with changing the clocks ever?

Several lawmakers are considering switching to Daylight Saving Time year-round which means no more worrying about being late for work the next day, trying to figure out what time it really is when the clocks change and no more extra hour of sleep (I don't think I am on board with this idea because of this reason). Whether you are for or against this idea, there are actually four ways that getting rid of Daylight Savings Time would make life a little better.

1. Lives might be saved. The evening rush hour is more dangerous because there are more people are on the road, there's a greater chance for alcohol to be in people's bloodstreams, and more kids are outside playing. So having an extra hour of sunlight in the evening could reduce car accidents with pedestrians. In fact, a study by Rutgers researchers found that 343 lives could be saved every year if we switched to year-round Daylight Saving Time.

2. Crime could decrease. A 2013 study found that more light in the evening could reduce crime by up to 20%.

3. Energy might be saved. When the sun is out later, there's less demand for energy to light and heat homes and businesses.

4. Our sleep wouldn't get messed up twice a year. No matter whether you prefer Standard Time or Saving Time, changing the clocks twice a year is bad for our health. It disrupts our sleep, heart attacks increase and one study even found it negatively affected financial markets.